RU2848397C1 - Heart rate sensor for aerosol delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to medical equipment, namely to an aerosol delivery device and a control housing for an aerosol delivery device. Aerosol delivery device comprises a casing configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition, an atomizer, a microprocessor, a heart rate sensor and a communication interface. Sensor electrodes are attached to the casing and are configured to obtain biopotential values from the user. Sensor signal generating circuit is configured to generate an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal from the biopotentials. ECG signal generates a user identifier. Microprocessor controls the operation of the functional element of the device based on the ECG signal or the heart rate of the user calculated on its basis. Microprocessor performs biometric authentication of the user based on the identifier and changes the locked state of the device based on the biometric authentication. Communication interface sends a notification to the computing device when the biometric authentication cannot confirm that the user is an authorized user. Control housing for the aerosol delivery device also comprises a casing, a microprocessor, a heart rate sensor and a communication interface. Microprocessor of the control housing is configured to operate in an active mode, in which the microprocessor controls the atomizer for activation and generation of the aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition.

EFFECT: expanded operating performances.

18 cl, 3 dwg

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/602,932, entitled: A Heart Rate Monitor for an Aerosol Delivery Device, filed May 23, 2017, now U.S. Patent No. 10,517,330, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, such as smoking articles, and in particular to aerosol delivery devices that can use electrically generated heat to generate an aerosol (e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes). The smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor, which may comprise materials that may be manufactured or obtained from tobacco or otherwise include tobacco, wherein the precursor is capable of forming an inhalable substance for human consumption.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

[0003] Over the years, a variety of devices have been proposed as improvements or alternatives to smoking products that require the combustion of tobacco. It is understood that many of these devices were designed to provide the sensations associated with smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, but without delivering significant quantities of incomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from tobacco combustion. To this end, a variety of alternative smoking products, aroma generators, and medicinal inhalers have been proposed that use electrical energy to vaporize or heat a vaporizable material or attempt to provide the sensations of smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes without significantly burning tobacco. See, for example, various alternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heat generating sources disclosed in the prior art, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0255702 to Griffith Jr. et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096781 to Sears et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0096782 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/222,615 to Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. See also, for example, the various embodiments of products and heating configurations described in the Background of the Invention sections of U.S. Patent Nos. 5,388,594 to Counts et al. and 8,079,371 to Robinson et al., which are incorporated by reference.

[0004] However, it may be desirable to provide aerosol delivery devices with improved electronics that may enhance the usability of the devices.

DISCLOSURE OF THE ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to aerosol delivery devices, methods for making such devices, and elements of such devices. The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following exemplary embodiments.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment 1: An aerosol delivery device comprising at least one housing configured to retain an aerosol precursor composition; an atomizer; a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode, wherein the control housing is configured to control the atomizer to activate and generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition; and a heart rate sensor including a plurality of electrodes for reading biopotentials attached to the housing and configured to receive biopotential measurement values from a user and including a signal generating circuit configured to generate an electrocardiogram signal from the biopotential measurement values, wherein the microprocessor is connected to the signal generating circuit and is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on the electrocardiogram signal or the heart rate of the user calculated based thereon.

[0007] Exemplary embodiment 2: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 1, wherein the electrocardiogram signal or samples of the electrocardiogram signal form a user identifier, and the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication of the user based on said identifier, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element, including its configuration to also change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device based on the biometric authentication.

[0008] Exemplary embodiment 3: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 2, wherein the microprocessor is configured to also perform biometric authentication, including being configured to at least access a corresponding identifier of an authorized user; compare the identifier with a corresponding identifier; and, based on the comparison, confirm that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and the corresponding identifier match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0009] Exemplary embodiment 4: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 3, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to operate in a registration mode for registering a user for biometric authentication, wherein the microprocessor in the registration mode is configured to receive an electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user from the heart rate sensor and generate a corresponding identifier from the electrocardiogram baseline signal.

[0010] Exemplary embodiment 5: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 4, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to force a user to re-register, including executing the microprocessor to also repeat the registration mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive an updated electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user and update the corresponding identifier from the updated electrocardiogram baseline signal.

[0011] Exemplary embodiment 6: The aerosol delivery device of any one of exemplary embodiments 2-5, wherein the microprocessor is configured to also perform biometric authentication, including being configured to also at least access corresponding identifiers of an authorized user, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from corresponding baseline signals of an electrocardiogram for the authorized user; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and, based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0012] Exemplary embodiment 7: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 6, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to operate in a recording mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals.

[0013] Exemplary embodiment 8: The aerosol delivery device of any one of exemplary embodiments 2-7, wherein the microprocessor is configured to also perform biometric authentication, including being configured to at least access corresponding identifiers of authorized users, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from corresponding baseline signals of an electrocardiogram for the corresponding authorized users; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and, based on the comparison, confirming that the user is one of the authorized users when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0014] Exemplary embodiment 9: The aerosol delivery device of exemplary embodiment 8, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to operate in a recording mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals.

[0015] Exemplary embodiment 10: The aerosol delivery device of any one of exemplary embodiments 2-9, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a communication interface configured to communicate with a computing device, wherein the microprocessor being configured to also control the operation of the at least one functional element includes being configured to also cause the communication interface to transmit a notification to the computing device when biometric authentication fails to verify that the user is an authorized user.

[0016] Exemplary embodiment 11: The aerosol delivery device of any one of exemplary embodiments 2-10, wherein the aerosol delivery device further comprises a communication interface configured to communicate with an age verification system that is configured to verify the age of the user, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device based on the age verification.

[0017] An exemplary embodiment 12: A control housing for an aerosol delivery device, comprising a housing; a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control an atomizer to activate and generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition; and a heart rate sensor including a plurality of electrodes for picking up biopotentials attached to the housing and configured to receive biopotential measurement values from a user and including a signal generating circuit configured to generate an electrocardiogram signal from the biopotential measurement values, wherein the microprocessor is connected to the signal generating circuit and is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the control housing or the aerosol delivery device based on the electrocardiogram signal or the heart rate of the user calculated based thereon.

[0018] Exemplary embodiment 13: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 12, wherein the electrocardiogram signal or samples of the electrocardiogram signal form a user identifier, and the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication of the user based on said identifier, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element, including its configuration to also change the locked state of the control housing based on the biometric authentication.

[0019] Exemplary embodiment 14: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 13, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication, including being configured to at least access a corresponding identifier of an authorized user; compare the identifier with a corresponding identifier; and, based on the comparison, confirm that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and the corresponding identifier match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0020] Exemplary embodiment 15: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 14, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a registration mode for registering a user for biometric authentication, wherein the microprocessor in the registration mode is configured to receive an electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user from the heart rate sensor and generate a corresponding identifier from the electrocardiogram baseline signal.

[0021] Exemplary embodiment 16: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 15, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to force a user to re-register, including executing the microprocessor to also repeat the registration mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive an updated electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user and update the corresponding identifier from the updated electrocardiogram baseline signal.

[0022] Exemplary embodiment 17: The control housing of any one of exemplary embodiments 13-16, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication, including its configuration being configured to at least access corresponding identifiers of an authorized user, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from corresponding baseline signals of an electrocardiogram for the authorized user; performing a comparison of the identifier with corresponding identifiers; and, based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0023] Exemplary embodiment 18: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 17, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals.

[0024] Exemplary embodiment 19: The control housing according to any one of exemplary embodiments 13-18, in which the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication includes its configuration to at least access corresponding identifiers of authorized users, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from corresponding baseline signals of an electrocardiogram for the corresponding authorized users; perform a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and, based on the comparison, confirm that the user is one of the authorized users when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0025] Exemplary embodiment 20: The control housing of exemplary embodiment 19, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals.

[0026] Exemplary embodiment 21: The control housing according to any one of exemplary embodiments 13-20, in which the control housing also comprises a communication interface configured to provide communication with a computing device, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element and includes its configuration to also cause the communication interface to transmit a notification to the computing device when biometric authentication cannot confirm that the user is an authorized user.

[0027] Exemplary embodiment 22: The control body according to any one of exemplary embodiments 13-22, wherein the control body also comprises a communication interface configured to communicate with an age verification system that is configured to verify the age of the user, and wherein the microprocessor is also configured to change the locked state of the control body based on the age verification.

[0028] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from reading the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements disclosed in this invention, regardless of whether such features or elements are intentionally combined or otherwise set forth in a particular embodiment described herein. This description is intended to be read as a whole, so that any separable features or elements of the present invention, in any of its aspects and exemplary embodiments, should be considered as being capable of being combined unless the context of the present description clearly indicates otherwise.

[0029] It should therefore be understood that this summary of the invention is provided only for the purpose of summarizing certain exemplary embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples only and should not be construed as in any way narrowing the scope or spirit of the invention. Other exemplary embodiments, aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, the principles of some of the described exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Having therefore described aspects of the present invention in the general terms set forth above, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side view of an aerosol delivery device including a cartridge coupled to a control housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of an aerosol delivery device according to various exemplary embodiments; and

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a system including an aerosol delivery device in wireless communication with a computing device according to various exemplary embodiments.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The disclosure of the present invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described in such a way that this disclosure thoroughly, completely, and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In fact, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the embodiments given herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention complies with applicable legal requirements. In this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated or clear from the context, the "or" of a set of operands represents an "inclusive or" and, thus, is true if and only if one or more operands are true, as opposed to an "exclusive or," which is false when all operands are true. Thus, for example, "[A] or [B]" is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B] are true. A grammatical construction indicating that an element is given in the singular also implies the plural unless the context of the invention clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, while reference may be made herein to quantities, values, geometric relationships, or the like, unless otherwise indicated, any one or more, if not all, of them may be absolute or approximate to account for reasonable variations that may occur, for example, due to technical tolerances or the like.

[0035] As described below, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention relate to aerosol delivery devices. Some aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention use electrical energy to heat a material (preferably without burning the material to any significant extent) to form an inhalable substance; and the components of such systems are in the form of articles, most preferably, that are compact enough to be considered portable devices. In other words, the use of the components of the preferred aerosol delivery devices does not result in the formation of smoke in the sense that the aerosol arises primarily from by-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, the use of said preferred systems results in the formation of vapors formed during the vaporization or evaporation of certain components included therein. In some exemplary embodiments, the components of the aerosol delivery devices may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and said electronic cigarettes most preferably include tobacco and/or components derived from tobacco, and thus deliver components derived from tobacco in the form of an aerosol.

[0036] Aerosol-generating components of certain preferred aerosol delivery devices may provide a variety of sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalation rituals, flavor and aroma types, organoleptic effects, physical sensation, usage rituals, visual cues such as those provided by a visible aerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that are caused by igniting and burning tobacco (and then inhaling tobacco smoke) without significantly burning any of their components. For example, a user of an aerosol delivery device according to some exemplary embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention may hold and use the component in a manner similar to how a smoker uses a traditional type of smoking article, by drawing on one end of the component to inhale the aerosol generated by the component, by taking or making puffs at selected intervals, and the like.

[0037] Although the systems are generally described herein in terms of embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices such as so-called "electronic cigarettes,""heated tobacco products," and the like, it should be understood that the mechanisms, components, features, and methods may be embodied in a variety of different forms and associated with different articles. For example, the description provided herein may be used in conjunction with embodiments of traditional smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and the like), heated-but-not-burning cigarettes, and associated with packaging for any of the products disclosed herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the mechanisms, components, features, and methods disclosed herein are provided in terms of embodiments related to aerosol delivery devices only by way of example and may be implemented and used in various other products and methods.

[0038] Aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention may also be characterized as vapor-generating articles or drug delivery articles. Thus, such articles or devices may be adapted to deliver one or more substances (e.g., flavorings and/or pharmaceutically active ingredients) in a respirable form or state. For example, the respirable substances may be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., a substance in the gas phase at a temperature that is lower than its critical point). Alternatively, the respirable substances may be in the form of an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas). For the sake of simplicity, the term "aerosol" as used herein is intended to refer to vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form or type that are suitable for inhalation by a person, regardless of whether they are or are not visible and whether or not they have a form that can be considered "smoke-like."

[0039] In use, the aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention can be used in various physical actions of a person using a smoking article of a traditional type (for example, a cigarette, cigar or pipe that is consumed by lighting and inhaling tobacco). For example, a user of the aerosol delivery device according to the disclosure of the present invention can hold this article like a smoking article of a traditional type, taking a puff through one end of said article to inhale the aerosol generated by this article, taking puffs at selected intervals of time, and the like.

[0040] Aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention generally comprise a number of components located within an outer housing, which may be referred to as a body or shell. The overall design of the housing may vary, and the configuration or format of the housing, which may define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device, may also vary. Typically, an elongated housing resembling the shape of a cigarette or cigar may be formed from a single housing, or the elongated housing may be formed from two or more separable housings. For example, the aerosol delivery device may comprise an elongated housing, which may be substantially tubular in shape and thus resemble the shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one example, all components of the aerosol delivery device are located in a single housing. Alternatively, the aerosol delivery device may comprise two or more housings that are connected and detachable. For example, an aerosol delivery device may have at one end a control body comprising a housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., a battery, such as a rechargeable battery, a rechargeable supercapacitor, a solid-state battery, a thin-film solid-state battery, a lithium-ion or hybrid lithium-ion supercapacitor, and various electronic equipment for controlling the operation of this product), and at the other end an outer housing or shell removably attached thereto, containing a disposable part (e.g., a disposable cartridge containing a fragrance). More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components located within a unit such as a single housing or within a unit such as a housing configured to be separated and consisting of a plurality of parts will be apparent in light of the further disclosure of the invention presented below. In addition, the design of various aerosol delivery devices and the arrangement of components can be understood by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. It should be understood that alternative non-tubular casing form factors may also be used, including, for example, device casings having a shape and size typically approximating a cigarette pack, and form factors such as those used in GLO™, manufactured by British American Tobacco, and IQOS™, manufactured by Philip Morris International.

[0041] As will be described in more detail below, aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention comprise some combination of a power source (e.g., an electrical power source), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating, controlling, regulating, and stopping the supply of power to generate heat, such as by controlling the flow of electrical current from the power source to other components of the aerosol delivery device), a heating element (e.g., an electrical resistive heating element or other component), or a vibrating piezoelectric mesh, which alone or in combination with one or more additional elements may be commonly referred to as an "atomizer", an aerosol precursor composition (e.g., typically, a liquid capable of forming an aerosol when sufficient heat is applied, such as ingredients commonly referred to as "smoking juice", "e-liquid", and "e-juice"), and a mouth end or tip region that provides a drawbar on the aerosol delivery device for inhalation of the aerosol (e.g., a predetermined airflow path through the article such that the generated the aerosol can be drawn through it when inhaled).

[0042] The alignment of the components in the aerosol delivery device according to the disclosure of the present invention can vary. In particular embodiments, the aerosol precursor composition can be located near the end of the aerosol delivery device, which can be configured to be positioned closer to the user's mouth to increase the delivery of the aerosol to the user. However, other configurations are not excluded. In general, the heating element can be located close enough to the aerosol precursor composition so that heat from the heating element can vaporize the aerosol precursor (as well as one or more flavorings, medicaments, etc., which can also be provided for delivery to the user) and form an aerosol for delivery to the user. When the heating element heats the aerosol precursor composition, the aerosol is formed, released, or generated in a physical form suitable for inhalation by the consumer. It should be noted that the above terms should be considered interchangeable, so that forms of the specified term such as "release,""release,""releases," or "released" include forms such as "form" or "generate,""forming" or "generating,""forms" or "generates," and "formed" or "generated." In particular, the respirable substance is released in the form of a vapor or aerosol or a mixture thereof, and such terms are also used interchangeably herein unless otherwise specified.

[0043] As noted above, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a battery or other power source to provide sufficient electric current to provide various functions of the aerosol delivery device, such as powering the heater, powering the control systems, powering the indicators, etc. The power source may have various embodiments. Preferably, the power source is capable of providing sufficient power to quickly heat the heating element to ensure the formation of an aerosol, and to provide power to the aerosol delivery device throughout its use for the required period of time. The power source is preferably sized to be conveniently inserted into the aerosol delivery device so as to ensure easy manipulation of the aerosol delivery device. In addition, the preferred power source is made sufficiently light and does not interfere with the desired smoking process.

[0044] More specific formats, configurations, and arrangements of components in aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention will be apparent in light of the further disclosure of the invention presented below. In addition, the selection and arrangement of various components of aerosol delivery devices can be understood by considering commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices. Additional information on the formats, configurations, and arrangements of components in aerosol delivery devices according to the disclosure of the present invention, as well as commercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 15/291,771 to Sur et al., filed October 12, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an aerosol delivery device 100 comprising a control body 102 and a cartridge 104 according to various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a control body and a cartridge that are connected to each other. The control body and the cartridge may be aligned to allow operation and disconnection. Various mechanisms may connect the cartridge and the control body, such as a threaded engagement, a push-fit engagement, an interference fit, a magnetic engagement, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the aerosol delivery device may be substantially rod-shaped, substantially tubular in shape, or substantially cylindrical in shape when the cartridge and control body are in an assembled configuration. The aerosol delivery device may also be substantially rectangular, diamond-shaped, or triangular in cross-section, have polygonal shapes, or the like, some of which may make it more compatible with a substantially flat or thin-film power source, such as a power source comprising a flat battery.

[0046] The control housing 102 and the cartridge 104 may include respective separate housings or outer housings, which may be formed from any number of different materials. The housing may be formed from any suitable structurally strong material. In some examples, the housing may be formed from a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel, aluminum, or the like. Other suitable materials include various plastics (e.g., polycarbonate), metal-coated plastic, ceramic, and the like.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, the control body 102 and/or the cartridge 104 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may be disposable or reusable. For example, the control body may have a replaceable battery, a rechargeable battery (e.g., a rechargeable thin-film solid-state battery), or a rechargeable supercapacitor, and thus may be combined with any type of recharging technology, including connection to a regular wall outlet, connection to a car charger (e.g., a cigarette lighter socket), connection to a computer, such as via a universal serial bus (USB) cable or connector, connection to a photovoltaic cell (sometimes referred to as a solar cell), to a solar panel of solar cells, wireless connection to radio frequency (RF), wireless connection to inductive charging pads, or connection to a radio frequency to direct current (RF-to-DC) converter. Also, in some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge may be a disposable cartridge as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,639 to Chang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows in more detail an aerosol delivery device 100 in accordance with some exemplary embodiments. As shown in a partially cutaway view, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a control body 102 and a cartridge 104, each of which comprises a plurality of corresponding components. The components shown in FIG. 2 are a typical example of components that may be present in the control body and the cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of components encompassed by the disclosure of the present invention. As shown, for example, the control body may be formed by a control body shell 206, which may include a control component 208 (e.g., a microprocessor, which is itself a microcontroller or is a part thereof), a flow sensor 210, a power source 212, and one or more light-emitting diodes 214, quantum dot light-emitting diodes, or the like, and such components may be aligned in various ways. The power source may include, for example, a battery (disposable or rechargeable), a rechargeable supercapacitor, a rechargeable solid-state battery, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, or the like, or some combination thereof. Some examples of suitable power sources are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/918,926 to Sur et al., filed October 21, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of suitable power sources are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2014/0283855 to Hawes et al., 2014/0014125 to Fernando et al., 2013/0243410 to Nichols et al., 2010/0313901 to Fernando et al., and 2009/0230117 to Fernando et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] The light-emitting diode 214 may be one example of a suitable visual indicator that may be equipped with the aerosol delivery device 100. Other indicators, such as audio indicators (e.g., speakers), tactile indicators (e.g., vibration motors), or the like, may be included in addition to or as an alternative to visual indicators, such as a light-emitting diode, a quantum dot light-emitting diode.

[0050] The cartridge 104 may be formed by a cartridge shell 216 that encloses a reservoir 218 configured to hold an aerosol precursor composition and contains a heater 222 (sometimes referred to as a heating element). In various configurations, this structure may be referred to as a container; and accordingly, the terms "cartridge,""container," and the like may be used interchangeably to refer to a shell or other enclosure that encloses a reservoir for an aerosol precursor composition and contains a heater.

[0051] As shown in the drawing, in some examples, the reservoir 218 may be in fluid communication with a liquid transfer element 220 configured to capillary or otherwise transfer the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir housing to the heater 222. In some examples, a valve may be located between the reservoir and the heater configured to control the amount of aerosol precursor composition passing or delivered from the reservoir to the heater.

[0052] Various examples of materials capable of generating heat when an electric current is applied thereto may be used to form the heater 222. The heater in these examples may be a resistive heating element such as a wire coil, a micro heater, and the like. Examples of materials from which the heating element may be made include fecral (FeCrAl), nichrome, stainless steel, molybdenum disilicide (MoSi ₂ ), molybdenum silicide (MoSi), aluminum-doped molybdenum disilicide (Mo(Si,Al) ₂ ), graphite and graphite-based materials (e.g., carbon-based foams and filaments), and ceramics (e.g., positive or negative temperature coefficient ceramics). Exemplary embodiments of heaters or heating elements used in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the disclosure of the present invention are also described below, and may be included in devices such as those described herein.

[0053] The opening 224 may be located in the cartridge shell 216 (e.g., at the mouthpiece end) to allow the generated aerosol to exit the cartridge 104.

[0054] The cartridge 104 may also include one or more electronic components 226, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component (e.g., an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory), a sensor, or the like. The electronic components may be configured to communicate with the control component 208 and/or with an external device via wired or wireless means. The electronic components may be located anywhere within the cartridge or its base 228.

[0055] Although the control component 208 and the flow sensor 210 are shown separately, it should be understood that various electronic components, including the control component and the flow sensor, can be combined on an electronic printed circuit board that supports and electrically connects the electronic components. Also, the printed circuit board can be located horizontally with respect to the illustration of FIG. 1, in which the printed circuit board can be longitudinally parallel to the central axis of the control housing. In some examples, the air flow sensor can include its own printed circuit board or other main element to which it can be attached. In some examples, a flexible printed circuit board can be used. The flexible printed circuit board can be made in various shapes, including substantially tubular shapes. In some examples, the flexible printed circuit board can be combined with the heater substrate, applied to it as a layer, or can form part or all of the heater substrate.

[0056] The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include components configured to facilitate fluid interaction with each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the control body may include a coupling element 230 having a cavity 232 therein. The base 228 of the cartridge may be designed to interact with the coupling element and may include a projection 234 designed to be embedded in the cavity. Such interaction may facilitate a stable connection between the control body and the cartridge and the establishment of an electrical connection between the power source 212 and the control component 208 in the control body and the heater 222 in the cartridge. Also, the control housing shell 206 may contain an air intake 236, which may be a recess in the shell in which it is connected to the connector, which allows air to pass from the environment around the coupling element into the shell, where it then passes through the cavity 232 of the coupling element into the cartridge through the protrusion 234.

[0057] A mating element and a base suitable for use in accordance with the disclosure of the present invention are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the mating element 230, as shown in FIG. 2, may define an outer periphery 238 configured to mate with an inner periphery 240 of a base 228. In one example, the inner periphery of the base may have a radius substantially equal to or slightly greater than the radius of the outer periphery of the mating element. Also, the connector may define one or more projections 242 on the outer periphery configured to engage one or more recesses 244 formed in the inner periphery of the base. However, various other examples of structures, shapes, and components may be used to connect the base to the connector. In some examples, the connection between the base of the cartridge 104 and the mating element of the control body 102 may be substantially permanent, while in other examples, said connection between them may be detachable, so that, for example, the control body can be reused with one or more additional cartridges, which may be disposable and/or reusable.

[0058] The reservoir 218 shown in FIG. 2 may be a container or a fibrous reservoir as described herein. For example, in this example, the reservoir may comprise one or more layers of non-woven fiber and may be substantially formed in the form of a tube that encloses the interior of the cartridge shell 216. The aerosol precursor composition may be retained in the reservoir. Liquid components, for example, may be sorptionally retained in the reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with a liquid transfer element 220. The liquid transfer element is capable of transferring the aerosol precursor composition stored in the reservoir by capillary action to a heater 222, which in this example is formed as a coil of metal wire. Typically, the heater is located in a heating device with a liquid transfer element.

[0059] In some examples, a microfluidic chip may be integrated into the reservoir 218, and the amount and/or mass of the aerosol precursor composition delivered from the reservoir may be controlled by a micropump, such as one based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies. The heater 222 may be configured to implement radiofrequency induction heating of the aerosol precursor composition without absorbing or physically contacting the aerosol precursor composition, such as by the method described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/934,763 to Davis et al., filed November 6, 2015, which is incorporated by reference. Other exemplary embodiments of reservoirs and transfer elements used in aerosol delivery devices in accordance with the disclosure of the present invention are also described below, and such reservoirs and/or transfer elements may be included in devices, such as those described herein. In particular, specific combinations of heating elements and transfer elements may be included in devices such as those described herein.

[0060] In use, when a user draws on the aerosol delivery device 100, an air flow is detected by the flow sensor 210, and the heater 222 is activated to vaporize the components of the aerosol precursor composition. Drawing on the mouthpiece end of the aerosol delivery device causes ambient air to enter the air inlet 236 and pass through the cavity 232 in the interface element 230 and through the central opening in the projection 234 of the base 228. In the cartridge 104, the drawn air mixes with the generated vapor to form an aerosol. This aerosol is entrained, inhaled, or otherwise drawn from the heater and exits through the opening 224 in the mouthpiece end of the aerosol delivery device.

[0061] In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100 may have a number of additional software-controlled functions. For example, the aerosol delivery device may comprise a power supply protection circuit configured to determine the power supply input, the load on the power supply terminals, and the charging input. The power supply protection circuit may comprise short-circuit protection, under-voltage lockout and/or voltage overload protection, and battery temperature compensation. The aerosol delivery device may also comprise components for measuring the ambient temperature, and its control component 208 may be configured to control at least one functional element to prevent charging of the power supply, in particular any battery, if the ambient temperature is below a certain temperature (e.g., 0°C) or above a certain temperature (e.g., 45°C) before the start of charging or during charging.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the control component 208 may comprise a microprocessor with an integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) suitable for measuring the temperature of the heater 222. More specifically, for example, the microprocessor may be programmed to induce a constant current to the heater and measure the voltage across the heater. The microprocessor may then be configured to calculate the resistance of the heater, which changes with temperature, from the current and voltage (R=V/I). The resistance value may then be used to determine the temperature of the heater based on a known relationship between voltage and temperature for the heater material. This relationship may be expressed in a number of different ways, for example, using a lookup table.

[0063] The supply of electrical energy from the power source 212 may vary during each puff on the device 100 in accordance with the electrical energy management mechanism. The device may include a timer to protect against a "long puff" such that if user actions or a component malfunction (e.g., flow sensor 210) result in an attempt to continuously puff on the device, the control component 208 may control at least one functional element to automatically terminate the puff after a certain period of time (e.g., four seconds). Also, the time between puffs on the device may be limited to a value less than a predetermined period of time (e.g., 100 seconds). The safety watchdog timer may automatically reboot the aerosol delivery device if its control component or the software running on it becomes unstable and does not service the timer within an appropriate time interval (e.g., eight seconds). Additional safety can be ensured in the event of a faulty or otherwise inoperative flow sensor 210, for example, by permanently disabling the aerosol delivery device to prevent unintentional heating. A puff limit switch can deactivate the device in the event of a pressure sensor malfunction, resulting in continuous activation of the device without stopping after a maximum of four seconds of puff time.

[0064] The aerosol delivery device 100 may comprise a puff tracking algorithm that provides the ability to lock the heater immediately after a certain number of puffs have been taken for the attached cartridge (based on the available number of puffs calculated based on the supply of e-liquid in the cartridge). The aerosol delivery device may include a sleep mode, a standby mode, or a low-power mode function in which the power supply may be automatically turned off after a certain period of non-use. Additional security may be provided by the fact that all charge/discharge cycles of the power source 212 may be monitored by the control component 208 during its service life. After the power source has reached the equivalent of a predetermined number (e.g., 200) of full discharge or full charge cycles, it may be declared depleted, and the control component may control at least one functional element to prevent further charging of the power source.

[0065] The various components of the aerosol delivery device according to the disclosure of the present invention may be selected from components described in the art and available on the market. Examples of batteries that can be used according to the present invention are described in U.S. Patent No. 9,484,155 to Peckerar et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] The aerosol delivery device 100 may also comprise a sensor 210 or another sensor or sensing element for controlling the supply of electrical energy to the heater 222 when aerosol generation is required (e.g., during a puff during operation). Thus, for example, a method or technique is provided for turning off the electrical energy of the heater when the aerosol delivery device is not engaged during operation, and for turning on the electrical energy to activate or start the generation of heat by the heater during a puff. Additional typical types of sensing and detecting mechanisms, their structure and configuration, their components and general methods of their operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr., in U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., and in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2010/003480 to Flick, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] The aerosol delivery device 100 most preferably comprises a control component 208 or other control mechanism for controlling the amount of electrical energy supplied to the heater 222 during a puff. Representative types of electronic components, their structure and configuration, their features, and their general methods of operation are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,735,217 to Gerth et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,205,622 to Pan, U.S. Patent No. 8,881,737 to Collet et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,423,152 to Ampolini et al., U.S. Patent No. No. 9,439,454 to Fernando et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0257445 to Henry et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] Representative types of substrates, reservoirs, or other components for supporting an aerosol precursor are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,528,569 to Newton, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261487 to Chapman et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0059780 to Davis et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0216232 to Bless et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, various absorbent materials, as well as the design and operation of these absorbent materials in certain types of electronic cigarettes, are shown in U.S. Patent No. 8,910,640 to Sears et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0069] An aerosol precursor composition, also referred to as a vapor precursor composition, may contain various components, including, for example, a polyhydric alcohol (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof), nicotine, tobacco, tobacco extract, and/or flavoring agents. Representative types of aerosol precursor components and compositions are also known and are characterized in U.S. Patents 7,217,320 to Robinson et al., 9,254,002 to Chong et al., 8,881,737 to Collett et al.; in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0020830 to Koller, as well as in PCT Patent Application Publication No. WO 2014/182736 to Bowen et al., and in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/222,615 to Watson et al., filed July 28, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosol precursors that can be used include those included in the VUSE® product of RJ Reynolds Vapor Company, the BLU™ product of Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, the MISTIC MENTHOL product of Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product of CN Creative Ltd. Also preferred are so-called "smoke juices" for e-cigarettes, which are available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

[0070] The aerosol precursor may utilize embodiments of effervescent materials as described, by way of example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0055494 to Hunt et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the use of effervescent materials is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,639,368 to Niazi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,178,878 to Wehling et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,223,264 to Wehling et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,974,590 to Pather et al., U.S. Patent No. 7,381,667 to Bergquist et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,424,541 to Crawford et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 8,627,828 to Strickland et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,307,787 to Sun et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0018539 to Brinkley et al., and PCT Application Publication No. WO 97/06786 to Johnson et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Further description regarding embodiments of aerosol precursor compositions that contain tobacco or components derived from tobacco contained therein is provided in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 15/216,582 and 15/216,590 to Davis et al., filed July 21, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0071] Additional characteristic types of components that provide visual signals or indicators may be used in the aerosol delivery device 100, such as visual indicators and related components, auditory indicators, tactile indicators, and the like. Examples of suitable light-emitting diode components, as well as their design and use, are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkel et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,499,766 to Newton, U.S. Patent No. 8,539,959 to Scatterday, and U.S. Patent No. 9,451,791 to Sears et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] Other features, controls, or components that may be included in aerosol delivery devices according to the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,934,289 to Watkins et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al., U.S. Patent No. 8,365,742 to Hon, U.S. Patent No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0016550 to Katase, U.S. Patent No. 8,689,804 to Fernando et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al., U.S. Patent No. 9,427,022 to Leven et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0180553 to Kim et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261495 to Novak et al., and U.S. Patent No. 9,220,302 to DePiano et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0073] As noted above, the control component 208 comprises a plurality of electronic components and, in some examples, may be formed on a printed circuit board. The electronic components may comprise a microprocessor or processor core and memory. In some examples, the control component may comprise a microcontroller with an integrated processor core and memory, and may also comprise one or more integrated external input/output devices. In some examples, the control component may be coupled to a communication interface 246 to provide a (wired or wireless) connection to one or more networks, computing devices, or other devices on a suitable basis. Examples of suitable communication interfaces are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0261020 to Marion et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Another example of a suitable communication interface is the wireless unit of the single-chip CC3200 microcontroller from Texas Instruments. And examples of suitable methods according to which an aerosol delivery device can be configured to communicate wirelessly are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0007651 to Ampolini et al. and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0219933 to Henry, Jr. et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0074] As also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to some exemplary embodiments, the control body 102 includes a heart rate sensor 248 that includes a plurality of biopotential electrodes 250 attached to the shell 206 (casing) and configured to receive biopotential measurement values from a user. This may include, for example, two or three biopotential electrodes that receive biopotential measurement values from a user who contacts the biopotential electrodes with his or her hands. The biopotential electrodes may be any of a number of different types of electrodes capable of receiving biopotential measurement values that represent the activity of the heart, the work of which is manifested through electrical activity.

[0075] The heart rate sensor 248 also includes a signal conditioning circuit 252 configured to generate an electrocardiogram signal from the measured biopotential values. One example of a suitable signal conditioning circuit is implemented as an integrated circuit (IC), such as the AD8233 heart rate sensor from Analog Devices.

[0076] In some examples, the control component 208 (microprocessor) is connected to the signal generating circuit 252 and is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the control body 102 or the aerosol delivery device 100 based on the electrocardiogram signal or the heart rate of the user calculated therefrom. This may include configuring the control component to calculate the heart rate of the user from the electrocardiogram signal and to control the operation of the functional element(s) based on the heart rate calculated thereby. The heart rate may be calculated in any suitable way and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).

[0077] The functional element(s) of the control body 102 or the aerosol delivery device 100 can be controlled in any of a number of different ways based on the electrocardiogram signal or heart rate. For example, the indicator 254 (e.g., a visual indicator, an audible indicator, a tactile indicator) can be controlled to provide user-perceived feedback (e.g., visual, audible, tactile feedback). The feedback can include, for example, a visual reading of the electrocardiogram signal or heart rate. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the feedback can include a visual, audible, and/or tactile alert that the heart rate is above or below a predetermined threshold, or is within or outside a predetermined range. In these cases, the indicator can provide user-perceived feedback, such as a signal, a beep, a vibration, or a visual indicator (e.g., an LED).

[0078] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, an electrocardiogram signal or heart rate may be used for biometric authentication of a user. In these examples, the electrocardiogram signal or electrocardiogram signal samples may form a user identifier. In the context of electrocardiography, for example, the identifier may be or include a series of calculated intervals, axes, or other measurable parameters, such as the PR interval, QT interval, PR axis, and QRS axis.

[0079] In these examples, the control component 208 may also be configured to perform biometric authentication of the user based on the identifier. The control component may then be configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device 100 or the control housing 102 based on the biometric authentication, for example, to change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device or its control housing. In this regard, the aerosol delivery device or its control housing may be locked, as a result of which the device/control housing, or more particularly one or more of its components (e.g., an atomizer), may be disabled, and the control component may unlock the device/control housing upon authentication of the user.

[0080] Biometric authentication can be performed in several different ways. For example, the control component 208 can be configured to access a corresponding identifier of an authorized user, such as from a memory integrated into the control component, or, more generally, the aerosol delivery device 100. The control component can be configured to compare the identifier with a corresponding identifier and, based on the comparison, confirm that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and the corresponding identifier match or have at least a threshold similarity. In some examples, the control component can then unlock the aerosol delivery device 100 or its control housing 102 when the user is confirmed as an authorized user.

[0081] In some examples, the aerosol delivery device 100, or more specifically, its control housing 102, may accommodate a plurality of authorized users. Additionally or alternatively, there may be a plurality of corresponding authorized user identifiers, which may represent electrocardiogram signals for the authorized user exposed to various stressors. It should be understood that the electrocardiogram signal represents the electrical activity of the heart; and, accordingly, the electrocardiogram signal (or, more specifically, the pattern of the electrocardiogram signal) may be changed by various stressors that cause stress to the user. One example of a stressor is physical activity, such as exercise, which may cause an increase in heart rate.

[0082] In some examples in which there are a plurality of authorized users, the control component 208 may be configured to access the corresponding identifiers of the authorized users, perform a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers, and confirm that the user is one of the authorized users when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity. Similarly, in some examples in which there are a plurality of corresponding identifiers of an authorized user, the control component may be configured to access the corresponding identifiers of an authorized user, perform a similar comparison, and confirm that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity.

[0083] To ensure biometric authentication, the control component 208 may also be configured to operate in a registration mode to register a user for biometric authentication. In this mode, the electrodes 250 for reading biopotentials of the heart rate sensor 248 may receive biopotential measurement values from the user for a period of time, such as thirty seconds. The signal generating circuit 252 may generate an electrocardiogram baseline signal from the biopotential measurement values. The control component may then be configured to receive the electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user from the heart rate sensor and generate a corresponding identifier from the electrocardiogram baseline signal.

[0084] In some examples, the control component 208 may also be configured to re-enroll the user. This may include executing the control component with the ability to repeat the registration mode, in which the control component is configured to receive an updated electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user and update the corresponding identifier from the updated electrocardiogram baseline signal. This re-enrollment may be repeated on demand, or the control component may be configured to force the user to re-enroll, for example, periodically at regular or irregular intervals. In some specific examples, the control component may force re-enrollment weekly, monthly, or annually. Additionally or alternatively, for example, re-enrollment may be forced each time the control body 102 is connected to the cartridge 104. In some further examples, the control component may erase the corresponding identifier from the aerosol delivery device 100 and thus require re-enrollment for biometric authentication. This can be triggered on demand, automatically at regular or irregular intervals, or automatically if the aerosol delivery device remains inactive for a specified period of time.

[0085] When biometric authentication fails to confirm that the user is an authorized user, control component 208 may respond in any of several different ways. The control component may repeat biometric authentication to retry confirming the user. The control component may be configured to allow a certain number of retries before another type of authentication is required to unlock aerosol delivery device 100. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the control component may transmit a notification to a computing device that may be associated with the registered owner of the aerosol delivery device, as also described below.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a system 300 that includes an aerosol delivery device 100 in wireless communication with a computing device 302 located externally with respect to the aerosol delivery device (an external computing device). This computing device may also be implemented as a number of different devices, such as any of a number of different mobile computers. More specific examples of suitable mobile computers include portable computers (e.g., laptop computers, notebooks, tablet computers), mobile phones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), wearable computers (e.g., smart watches), and the like. In other examples, the computing device may be implemented as a form other than a mobile computer, such as a desktop computer, an office computer, and the like.

[0087] In some examples, the communication interface 246 in the aerosol delivery device 100 is configured to enable establishment of or connection to a wireless personal area network (WPAN) 304 that includes the computing device 302. Examples of suitable WPAN technologies include those based on or defined by IEEE 802.15 standards, including Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (Bluetooth LE), ZigBee, infrared (e.g., IrDA), radio-frequency identification (RFID), wireless USB, and the like. Other examples of suitable wireless local area network technologies include Wi-Fi Direct, as well as some other technologies based on or defined by IEEE 802.11 standards and supporting direct device-to-device communication.

[0088] In some examples, the communication interface 246 of the aerosol delivery device 100 is configured to provide a connection to a wireless local area network (WLAN) 306. Examples of suitable WLAN technologies include those based on IEEE 802.11 standards or those commercially available as Wi-Fi. The WLAN includes suitable network equipment, some of which may be implemented as a single unit, while others may be separate or interconnected. As shown in the drawing, for example, the WLAN includes a wireless access point 308 configured to allow wireless devices, including the aerosol delivery device 100 and the computing device 302, to connect to the WLAN. The drawing also shows that, for example, a WLAN may include a gateway 310, such as a residential gateway, configured to connect the WLAN to an external computer network 312, such as a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet. In some examples, a wireless access point or gateway may include an integrated router to which other systems or devices may be connected. A wireless local area network may also include other integrated or separate and connected network hardware, such as a network switch, a hub, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a cable modem, and the like.

[0089] In some examples, system 300 also includes a service platform 314, which may be implemented as a computer system accessible via WLAN 306 or external network 312 (as shown). The service platform may comprise one or more servers, which may be provided with one or more blade servers, a cloud computing infrastructure, or the like. In some examples, the service platform is implemented as a distributed computing device, including a plurality of computing devices that may be used to provide a cloud computing infrastructure. And in these examples, the computing devices that form the service platform may be connected to each other via a network, such as an external network.

[0090] In some examples, the service platform 314 is accessible to the aerosol delivery device 100 via the WLAN 306 and the external network 312 and is configured to provide one or more services to the user of the aerosol delivery device and possibly users of other aerosol delivery devices. For example, the service platform may be operated by a healthcare professional, a health, activity or fitness tracking company or organization, or the like. The service platform may provide the user with the ability to access and use various features, such as features for monitoring or tracking the electrocardiogram signal and/or heart rate of the user of the aerosol delivery device.

[0091] Similar to the aerosol delivery device 100, in some examples, the service platform 314 is accessible to the computing device 302 via the WLAN 306 and the external network 312, although the WLAN or external network may differ between the aerosol delivery device and the computing device. The computing device may contain or otherwise provide an installed application or other interface through which the service platform can be accessed. This application or other interface may be or may be provided by a thin client application and/or another client application, such as a web browser application, through which access to a web page (e.g., a service portal) provided by the service platform is provided. As another example, the application or other interface may be or may be provided by a specialized application, such as a mobile application installed on a computing device implemented as a mobile computing device.

[0092] In some examples, the control component 208 is further configured to wirelessly transmit an electrocardiogram signal or heart rate via the communication interface 246 to the computing device 302 and/or the service platform 314 configured to control the operation of at least one of its respective functional elements based on the electrocardiogram signal or heart rate. In more specific examples, the communication interface may provide for wireless transmission of the electrocardiogram signal. In these examples, the computing device and/or the service platform may calculate the user's heart rate from the electrocardiogram signal and control the operation of its respective functional element(s) based on the heart rate calculated in this way.

[0093] Similar to the aerosol delivery device 100, the functional element(s) of the computing device 302 and/or the service platform 314 can be controlled in any of a number of different ways based on the electrocardiogram signal or heart rate. For example, the computing device can control the indicator 316 (e.g., a visual indicator, an audio indicator, a tactile indicator) to provide user-perceived feedback (e.g., visual, audio, tactile feedback), such as a visual reading of the electrocardiogram signal or heart rate and/or a visual, audio, and/or tactile alert that the heart rate is above or below a predetermined threshold, or is within or outside a predetermined range. In another example, the service platform may contain a database 318 managed for storing an electrocardiogram signal and/or heart rate for subsequent retrieval, analysis, and/or display, for example, by the user and/or a healthcare professional authorized by the user. This may also trigger other actions, such as dispatching an ambulance or calling an emergency contact when the heart rate is above or below a specified threshold.

[0094] In some examples in which an electrocardiogram signal or heart rate is used for biometric authentication of a user, the control component 208 may be configured to cause the communication interface 246 to transmit a notification to the computing device 302 (directly or via the service platform 314) when the biometric authentication cannot confirm that the user is an authorized user. Examples of suitable notifications include a push notification, a text message, or the like, which may be presented as user-perceivable feedback via the indicator 316.

[0095] Additionally or alternatively, the computing device 302 may be configured to remotely control the aerosol delivery device 100 (directly or via the service platform 314). For example, the computing device may remotely control the aerosol delivery device to lock or otherwise remotely lock the aerosol delivery device. In another example, the computing device may remotely cause the aerosol delivery device to provide user-perceived feedback (e.g., visual, audio, haptic feedback), which may allow the user to determine the location of their aerosol delivery device.

[0096] In some examples, the system 300 also includes an age verification system, which may be provided by the service platform 314 or another service platform. In some of these examples, the communication interface 246 of the aerosol delivery device 100 may provide communication with the age verification system. The age verification system may be configured to verify the age of the user, and the control component 208 may be configured to change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device or its control housing 102 based on the age verification. Similarly, the aerosol delivery device or its control housing may be locked, whereby the device/control housing or, more specifically, one or more of its components (e.g., an atomizer) may be disabled, and the control component may unlock the device/control housing upon verification of the user's age. This may be in addition to or instead of the biometric authentication described above. More detailed information on suitable methods by which age verification can be performed can be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,444 to Daugherty et al., U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,460 to Hubbard et al., and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/415,477 to Hubbard et al., all filed May 17, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Suitable methods by which age verification can be performed can also be found in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/441,903 to Hubbard et al., and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/441,937 to Hubbard et al., both filed June 14, 2019, both of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

[0097] The above description of the use of the article(s) may be applied to the various exemplary embodiments described herein by minor modifications that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the additional disclosure provided herein. The above description of the use, however, is not intended to limit the use of the said article, but is provided to meet all necessary requirements of the disclosure of the present invention. Any of the elements shown in the article(s), as shown in FIGS. 1-5, or otherwise described above, may be included in an aerosol delivery device according to the disclosure of the present invention.

[0098] Numerous modifications and other embodiments of the present invention described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, using the disclosures provided in the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and accompanying figures disclose embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and/or functions, it is to be understood that various combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided in alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, other combinations of elements and/or functions than those expressly described above are also contemplated for inclusion in some of the claims of the appended claims. Although specific terms are used in this application, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims (48)

1. An aerosol delivery device comprising: at least one housing configured to retain the aerosol precursor composition; atomizer; a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode, in which the control body is configured to control the atomizer to activate and generate an aerosol from an aerosol precursor composition; a heart rate sensor that includes electrodes for recording biopotentials attached to a casing and configured to receive biopotential measurement values from a user, and includes a signal generating circuit configured to generate an electrocardiogram signal from the biopotential measurement values, wherein the electrocardiogram signal or electrocardiogram signal samples form a user identifier, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a signal generation circuit and is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device based on an electrocardiogram signal or the heart rate of the user calculated on its basis, including the microprocessor also being configured to perform biometric authentication of the user based on the specified identifier and to change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device based on the biometric authentication; and a communication interface configured to provide communication with a computing device, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element and is configured to also cause the communication interface to transmit a notification to the computing device when biometric authentication cannot confirm that the user is an authorized user. 2. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication, including its configuration to at least: access to the corresponding authorized user identifier; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifier; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and the corresponding identifier match or have at least a threshold similarity. 3. The aerosol delivery device of claim 2, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a registration mode for registering a user for biometric authentication, wherein the microprocessor in the registration mode is configured to receive an electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user from the heart rate sensor and generate a corresponding identifier from the electrocardiogram baseline signal. 4. The aerosol delivery device of claim 3, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to force a user to re-register, which includes executing the microprocessor also with the capability of repeating the registration mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive an updated electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user and update the corresponding identifier from the updated electrocardiogram baseline signal. 5. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication, including its configuration to at least: access to the corresponding identifiers of the authorized user, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from the corresponding baseline signals of the electrocardiogram for the authorized user; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity. 6. The aerosol delivery device of claim 5, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals. 7. The aerosol delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to perform biometric authentication, including its configuration to at least: access to the corresponding identifiers of authorized users, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from the corresponding baseline signals of the electrocardiogram for the corresponding authorized users; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is one of the authorized users when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity. 8. The aerosol delivery device of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals. 9. The aerosol delivery device of claim 1, also comprising a communication interface configured to provide communication with an age verification system that is configured to verify the age of the user, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to change the locked state of the aerosol delivery device based on age verification. 10. A control housing for an aerosol delivery device comprising: casing; a microprocessor configured to operate in an active mode, wherein the microprocessor is configured to control the atomizer to activate and generate an aerosol from the aerosol precursor composition; a heart rate sensor that includes electrodes for recording biopotentials attached to a casing and configured to receive biopotential measurement values from a user, and includes a signal generating circuit configured to generate an electrocardiogram signal from the biopotential measurement values, wherein the electrocardiogram signal or electrocardiogram signal samples form a user identifier, wherein the microprocessor is connected to a signal generation circuit and is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element of the control housing or the aerosol delivery device based on the electrocardiogram signal or the heart rate of the user calculated on its basis, including the implementation of the microprocessor also with the capability of performing biometric authentication of the user based on the specified identifier and changing the locked state of the aerosol delivery device based on the biometric authentication; and a communication interface configured to provide communication with a computing device, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to control the operation of at least one functional element and is configured to also cause the communication interface to transmit a notification to the computing device when biometric authentication cannot confirm that the user is an authorized user. 11. The control housing according to paragraph 10, in which the implementation of the microprocessor also with the possibility of implementing biometric authentication includes its implementation also with the possibility of at least: accessing the corresponding identifier of the authorized user; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifier; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and the corresponding identifier match or have at least a threshold similarity. 12. The control body according to claim 11, in which the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a registration mode for registering a user for biometric authentication, wherein the microprocessor in the registration mode is configured to receive an electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user from the heart rate sensor and generate a corresponding identifier from the electrocardiogram baseline signal. 13. The control body according to claim 12, in which the microprocessor is also configured to force a repeated registration of the user, including the execution of the microprocessor also with the possibility of repeating the registration mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive an updated electrocardiogram baseline signal for the user and update the corresponding identifier from the updated electrocardiogram baseline signal. 14. The control housing according to paragraph 10, in which the implementation of the microprocessor also with the possibility of implementing biometric authentication includes its implementation also with the possibility of at least: access to the corresponding identifiers of the authorized user, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from the corresponding baseline signals of the electrocardiogram for the authorized user; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is an authorized user when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity. 15. The control body according to claim 14, in which the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals. 16. The control housing according to paragraph 10, in which the implementation of the microprocessor also with the possibility of implementing biometric authentication includes its implementation also with the possibility of at least: access to the corresponding identifiers of authorized users, wherein the corresponding identifiers are formed from the corresponding baseline signals of the electrocardiogram for the corresponding authorized users; performing a comparison of the identifier with the corresponding identifiers; and based on the comparison, confirming that the user is one of the authorized users when the identifier and any of the corresponding identifiers match or have at least a threshold similarity. 17. The control body according to claim 16, in which the microprocessor is also configured to operate in a recording mode, in which the microprocessor is configured to receive corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals from the heart rate sensor and to generate corresponding identifiers from the corresponding electrocardiogram baseline signals. 18. The control body according to paragraph 10, also containing a communication interface configured to provide communication with an age verification system, which is configured to verify the age of the user, wherein the microprocessor is also configured to change the locked state of the control body based on age confirmation.